Borrowing at a rapid rate is not the only weak pillar underneath Portland central. The other is the heavy dependence on outside subsidies. The state and federal governments are continually pumping subsidies into downtown Portland at the expense of other Oregon communities and other rural areas. Another weak pillar is the support provided by state planners restricting land development outside the city of Portland which serves to lessen the competition for Portland in attracting out-of-state rich folk immigration. There's going to be a point where the play on Portland is going to lose momentum, and that's when you don't want to be a Portland property owner.

Not to worry. Bill Richardson is accused, so now the story will get buried very fast.

For us, I just don't see anyone in CoP (except maybe Blackmer) sharp enough to make a score off of this. The only thing I think Randy/Sam see is one more piggybank to bust into for the Sim City projects.